KQED's new CTO Michael Englehaupt. — KQED’s new CTO Michael Englehaupt.

Michael Englehaupt has been named KQED’s new Chief Technology Officer. Englehaupt will be a chief architect as KQED moves to increase regionally-focused content and distribution across multiple platforms, including mobile, tablet, Internet and broadcast.

Englehaupt will oversee KQED’s combined technical areas of television and radio engineering, television operations, IT and enterprise systems, and the engineering and facility management operations for KQED Public Television and Radio, KQEH (known as KQED Plus, Silicon Valley), KQET in Watsonville and KQEI Public Radio in Sacramento. Englehaupt will report to KQED COO and Executive Vice President Donald W. Derheim beginning April 1, 2013.

“As KQED continues its path to becoming the premiere 21^st century public media organization, we recognize the need to think comprehensively about all of our broadcast, Internet and IT operations,” Derheim stated. “At a time when the methods people use to consume media are rapidly changing, KQED plans to be at the forefront, which requires the ability to adapt rapidly. With Mike, we know we have someone with passion for our particular work and has core strengths in KQED’s key services.”

Michael Englehaupt joins KQED from KPIX/KBCW (CBS San Francisco) where he has been the Director of Broadcast Operations and Engineering. He is a 35-year broadcast technology veteran with a career encompassing all aspects of television and radio technology operations for CBS, ABC and NBC stations in Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. He has extensive experience in studio and remote engineering/operations in radio and television, from analog legacy-based systems to HD and IP-based multiplatform systems and workflows. He has implemented large-scale projects including the rebuild of WLS-TV in Chicago, the relocation of KABC-TV to a new broadcast center in Glendale and the rebuild of KPIX/KBCW in San Francisco.

During Mike’s tenure, he was responsible for technology operations of two television stations, as well as daily management and multi-year strategic planning and implementation of a multi-tenant 160,000 sq. ft facility. In addition, Mike oversaw transmitter operations on Mt. Sutro and managed IT expansion to support 400 workstations and 120 servers.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” stated Englehaupt. “I am a long-time fan of KQED and its mission to provide quality news, entertainment and educational content to Bay Area consumers. KQED is both a locally and nationally recognized brand and I’m thrilled to be part of the team tasked to innovate and implement new technologies and workflows and build a stronger organization that will benefit our community for generations to come.”

About KQED:
KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. Home to the most listened-to public radio station in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program, and as a leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events

KQED Receives Largest Annual Individual Gift in its History

September 11, 2012

Jan I. Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem make a commitment of $1,500,000 over three years to support
KQED Public Television arts programming and KQED Public Radio

SAN FRANCISCO, September 11, 2012—KQED, the public media organization that serves
Northern California, announced today the largest annual, non-campaign,
individual gift in the organization’s history of $1,500,000. The commitment
made by longtime KQED supporters Jan I. Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem
will be spread over three years.

Like many other lovers of the arts in the Bay Area, Jan and Maria turn to KQED Public
Television to let the world’s greatest artists into their living room. Their
gift will help support costs associated with the local broadcast of four operas
from the San Francisco Opera, as well as Great Performances, Live From
Lincoln Center, broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera and other arts
programming. Half of the Shrem’s gift will support KQED Public Radio’s news and
public affairs programming, including specific support for one of KQED’s
most-popular programs, Forum. Their gift will help ensure Forum can continue
in its role as a convener of intelligent conversation and discussion of matters
of importance to the Bay Area and beyond.

“Jan and Maria Manetti Shrem believe that public media can help ensure a vibrant
civic and cultural life by making information, education and the arts available
to everyone, regardless of their circumstances,” stated KQED President John L.
Boland. “Their generous support of KQED could not have come at a more important
time as we seek to increase our news and arts services to help fill the void
created by cutbacks among local commercial media. They are exemplary donors and
everyone in the Bay Area stands to benefit from their generosity. We are very
grateful.”

Jan Shrem added, “I have been a fan of the arts since my college days in Salt Lake City.
I am so grateful to have the ability today to help others discover great art
forms and performances. KQED will give them the best seat in the house and
Maria and I could not be more pleased.”

Their support for KQED Public Radio is based on their belief that an informed
citizenry is the cornerstone of democracy. As reflected through this gift, the Shrem’s are committed to a life of
education and culture for themselves and for everyone regardless of age, economics, or geography. As Maria noted,
“We cannot live without music. We cannot live without information and education. No matter your age, you never stop learning. We believe KQED directly reflects our priorities and we hope others join us in supporting the impact it has in our
community.”

ABOUT KQED
KQED has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area) and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check,
Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA and Essential Pépin. KQED’s digital television stations include KQED 9, KQED Plus, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local weekday newscasts and news features. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts, and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to
thousands of teachers, students, parents and the general public through workshops, community screenings and multimedia resources.

ABOUT JAN SHREM
Jan Shrem is the proprietor of Clos Pegase Winery in California’s Napa Valley. Born of Jewish-Lebanese heritage in Colombia, Mr. Shrem grew up in Jerusalem from the age of 2 and moved to the United States at age 16 to finish high school and attend college. While studying for his Master’s Degree at UCLA, he made a visit to Japan and ended up staying there for 13 years, creating a successful publishing business which he continued in Europe. He eventually sold the business to pursue his passion for wine and art, studying enology at the University of Bordeaux before returning to California to create his 450-acre wine estate, Clos Pegase. His passion for wine and art is reflected in the winery, which features a signature building by Michael Graves, twenty thousand
square feet of aging caves, and an art collection of nearly one thousand works. Mr. Shrem is a member of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Director’s Circle, the board of the Family Winemakers of California and is a founding member of Festival del Sole. He has chaired numerous charity wine and art auctions for a wide range of non-profit organizations and has hosted or contributed to hundreds of fundraisers for museums, universities, and wine societies with his humorous lecture, “Bacchus the Rascal: A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4000 Years of Art.”

ABOUT MARIA MANETTI SHREM
Maria Manetti Shrem is an international businesswoman and patron of the arts. She was born in Florence, Italy and then moved to the United States in 1973, making her home in Northern California. She maintains residences in San Francisco, Napa Valley and in Florence, Italy. In the 1980s, Ms. Manetti Shrem revolutionized the high-end designer accessory market by creating and managing United States and Canadian distribution lines for premium leather goods, including legendary producers Gucci, Fendi and Mark Cross. For more than a decade, her business, with a staff of 120 employees, operated at the highest levels throughout the retail world, anticipating and setting trends with remarkable success. Her prescience foresaw an industry downturn which led her to leave the business at a highpoint of her career and return “to the earth” where she owns and personally manages Villa Mille Rose, a 60-acre estate in Napa Valley replete with vineyards, olive and fruit orchards, and flower and vegetable gardens. Ms. Manetti Shrem is a grower and collector of fine wines, and produces upscale Balsamic Vinegar and Tuscan Style Extra Virgin Olive Oil that has won the Gold Medal at the Los Angeles County Fair for the last ten years. Her olive oil is now served at some of the country’s top restaurants, including the French Laundry in Yountville and its sister restaurant, Per Se in New York. Ms. Manetti Shrem is involved in numerous philanthropic, civic and performing arts organizations throughout the cities of San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Florence, London, Paris and St. Petersburg, Russia.

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events

Tony Tiano, Former KQED President (1979-1993)

August 13, 2012

Current KQED President John Boland with Tony Tiano 2010.

San Francisco, August 13, 2012—Anthony Tiano, who served as the President of KQED Inc. from 1979-1993 passed away on August 12, 2012 at his home in New Mexico. Tiano had been serving as the President of Santa Fe Productions, a company that produced independent programming for public television stations nationwide.

Tiano led KQED through a period of significant growth and change including the institution of a full 7-day a week schedule for KQED Public Television and the conversion of KQED Public Radio to an all news and public affairs format. These and other innovations during Tiano’s tenure positioned KQED to become one of the largest and most successful public broadcasting organizations in the country.

He also ushered in new programming, including This Week in Northern California on television and Forum on radio, both of which remain among KQED’s most popular offerings. In 1989, Tiano worked with legendary promoter Bill Graham to broadcast an Earthquake Relief Concert that raised more than $2 million dollars for victims of the Loma Prieta Earthquake.

In the early 1990’s, Tiano managed in a difficult economy to consolidate all of KQED’s San Francisco operations – previously scattered among a number of South-of-Market locations – under one roof in a building on Mariposa Street that remains KQED’s headquarters today.

“Tony Tiano made important strategic moves during his tenure that laid the foundation for KQED’s great success in the 21^st
century and, more important, positioned us to do a better job of serving the community,” stated John L. Boland, current president of KQED. “Even after leaving KQED, Tony remained part of public broadcasting as an independent producer of many outstanding specials that aired on KQED and other PBS stations nationwide. He will be missed.”

Memorial services will be held Friday, August 17th,
10:00am St. Jude Thaddeus Parish

5712 Paradise Blvd. NW

Albuquerque, NM 87114

In Lieu of flowers Tony and his family request that contributions be made to:

MPN Research Foundation
(Polycythemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythemia and Myelofibrosis)

MPN Research Foundation
180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1870
Chicago IL 60601

www.mpdfoundation.org

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Television

KQED Wins Five Northern California Emmy® Awards

June 12, 2012

Legendary broadcaster Belva Davis receives special tribute.

KQED has won five Northern California Emmy® Awards, including Best Documentary. The 41^st Annual Northern California Emmy® Awards ceremony was held Saturday evening, June 9, and honored Journey of the Universe, a documentary that began on KQED 9 and is currently thrilling national PBS audiences. KQED’s original television series This is Us, which profiles the remarkable people of the South Bay; The San Francisco Symphony at 100, a loving look at one of our region’s premiere arts organizations; The New Environmentalists, which features portraits of six passionate and dedicated environmental activists; and QUEST, KQED’s local series concentrating on science, nature, and the environment were aksi honored. Belva Davis, the host of KQED Public Television’s This Week in Northern California, received a special tribute in celebration of her 28 years of broadcast journalism. Ms. Davis has formally announced her plans to retire in November 2012.

DOCUMENTARY

“Journey of the Universe,” KQED 9/Northcutt Productions/InCA Productions Patsy Northcutt and David Kennard, Producer/Directors; Catherine Lynn Butler, Co-Producer

HISTORIC/CULTURAL – PROGRAM FEATURE/SEGMENT

“This is Us: Carol Ruth Silver Freedom Rider,” John Gregg, Producer; Becca King Reed, Director; Steven G. Kern, Editor; Simon Gordon, Sound

INFORMATIONAL/INSTRUCTIONAL – FEATURE/SEGMENT

“QUEST: Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct: Big Fixes for Big Quakes,” K QED 9 Sheraz Sadiq, Segment Producer; Michael Goode, Associate Producer;Linda Peckham, Editor; Amy Miller, Series Producer; Paul Rogers, Managing Editor

PUBLIC/CURRENT/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS – PROGRAM/SPECIAL

“The New Environmentalists,” KQED9/MillValleyFilm Group, John Antonelli, Tom Dusenbery, Will Parrinello, Producer/Directors

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL – PROGRAM SPECIAL

“San Francisco Symphony at 100,” KQED 9/SFS Media/Janette Gitler Productions, John Kieser, Executive Producer ; Janette Gitler, Producer; Robert Weiss, Coordinating Producer; Miles Saunders, Writer; Blair Gershkow, Editor

A complete list of all the awardees can be seen on the website of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, San Francisco/Northern California Chapter at emmysf.tv.

The Emmy® is awarded for outstanding achievement in Television by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. San Francisco/Northern California is one of the twenty chapters awarding regional Emmys®. Northern California is composed of television and cable stations fromVisalia to the Oregon border and includesH awaii and Reno, Nevada. Entries were aired during the 2011 calendar year.

ABOUT KQED:
KQED (kqed.org) has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area) and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check, Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA; and Essential Pépin. KQED’s digital television stations include KQED 9, KQED Plus, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local weekday newscasts and news features. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts, and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and the general public through workshops, community screenings and multimedia resources.

kqed.org/press

###

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Radio, Public Television

KQED Celebrates Women’s History Month in March

March 12, 2012

Over 70 Women’s history related television and radio programs to air

Four local heroes to be honored in annual awards ceremony on March 22 sponsored by Wells Fargo

San Francisco, CA, March 1, 2012 – KQED, the public media organization that serves Northern California, proudly celebrates the culture, experience and history of women in the United States and around the world. This month-long commemoration includes special programming and an event honoring a group of four unsung local leaders for their outstanding accomplishments and exemplary service within their communities.

KQED and Wells Fargo will celebrate this year’s local heroes on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 6pm at the KQED Studios (2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco). The event will feature live entertainment and an awards ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2012 Women’s History Month honorees are Kemba Shakur (Founder and Director, Urban Releaf), Raye Mitchell (Founder, New Reality Foundation – formerly I C HOPE), Marily Mondejar (President, Filipina Women’s Network) and Rhodessa Jones (Coartistic Director, Cultural Odyssey).

Also in honor of Women’s History Month, KQED Public Media will offer over 70 programs that focus on themes and culture related to women’s history. Some of the month’s highlights include:

KQED Public Radio – 88.5FM San Francisco and 89.3FM Sacramento

The Hidden World of Girls, hosted by Tina Fey

This two-hour long special tells the stories of coming of age, rites of passage, secret identities of women who crossed a line, broke a trail and changed the tide. Hour One: Saturday, March 3, at 1pm and Wednesday, March 7, at 8pm. Hour Two: Saturday March 10, at 1pm and Wednesday, March 14, at 8pm

KQED Public Television

Independent Lens: Lioness
Saturday, March 3 at 2pm on KQED World
In Iraq, a group of women became the first in American history to be sent into direct ground combat.

Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony

Saturday, March 3 at 7pm on KQED Plus; Join the award–winning Broadway, television and recording artist as she journeys through the American songbook with an orchestra led by legendary composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch.

Our Summer in Tehran
Sunday, March 11 at 7pm on KQED World

Filmmaker and long-time Globe Trekker host Justine Shapiro and her six-year-old son share daily life in Iran with three very different families.

Masterpiece Classic: Sense and Sensibility

Part 1: Monday, March 19 at 8pm on KQED Plus; Part 2: Monday, March 19 at 9:30pm on KQED Plus. Sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood enter the marriage market virtually penniless. But then three handsome and apparently well-heeled men come courting.

Tina Fey: The Mark Twain Prize

Monday, March 19 at 10pm on KQED 9 – Steve Carell, Betty White, Jon Hamm, Steve Martin and others pay tribute to the humor of acclaimed writer, actress, producer and comedienne Tina Fey.

Marie Antoinette

Friday, March 23 at 9pm on KQED 9; This documentary examines the life of one of the most controversial monarchs from her childhoods to her final hours.

Nancy Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime
Sunday, March 28 at 2:30pm on KQED World
This documentary examines this First Lady and her marriage and partnership with Ronald Reagan.

Program listings and descriptions for March can be found in the KQED Women’s History Month Guide, online at www.kqed.org/heritage.

About KQED:

KQED (kqed.org) has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area) and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check, Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA; and Essential Pépin. KQED’s digital television stations include KQED 9, KQED Plus, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local weekday newscasts and news features. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and the general public through workshops, community screenings and multimedia resources.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with more than 20,000 team members in the Bay Area and is ranked the #1 corporate giver among financial institutions by the San Francisco Business Times. In 2008, Wells Fargo contributed $16.7 million to non-profits in the Bay Area. Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Television

KQED Announces PBS and Member Stations are Named #1 in Public Trust and an “Excellent” Use of Tax Dollars for Ninth Consecutive Year.

February 27, 2012

National Research Also Confirms PBS KIDS as the Most Educational TV/Media Brand and the Safest On-Air and Online Destination for Children

San Francisco, California, February 27, 2012 — Today KQED President John Boland announced that once again national research has confirmed that PBS and PBS stations are the most trusted institution and is considered an “excellent” use of tax dollars — for the ninth consecutive year.¹PBS and PBS stations were was also called the most fair network for news and public affairs. In addition, PBS KIDS was named the most educational TV/media brand, the safest destination for children to watch television or visit online and the top provider of content that helps children build reading and math skills.³

The research was conducted in January and February 2012 by the independent, non-partisan research companies Harris Interactive and ORC Online Caravan. Each year, PBS commissions research to measure its performance and value as judged by its most important stakeholder — the American public.

“For many years the people we serve in the Bay Area have been sending a clear message through their increasing use of our media and growing financial support for our mission that they value the quality and integrity of the content that KQED provides,” said KQED President John Boland. “This latest national survey confirms again that in communities across the country public media is among the most trusted institutions.”

PBS Ranks #1 in Public Trust – Twice the Level of Trust Than Courts of Law
More than 3 in 4 people trust PBS (76% “trust a great deal” or “trust somewhat”). The 2012 study marks the ninth time in a row that PBS was called the nation’s most-trusted institution. The study found that respondents had twice the level of trust in PBS (26% “trust a great deal”) over the nearest institution, Courts of Law (13% “trust a great deal”).¹

PBS Considered Top Use of Tax Dollars

Only military defense outranked PBS as the best value for the American tax dollar. Over two-thirds of those polled (64%) called PBS an “excellent” (20%) or “good” (44%) use of their tax dollars. Military defense was described as “excellent” or “good” by 73% (31% “excellent” or 42% “good”).

Nearly 3 in 4 participants (74%) believe federal funding for PBS is money well spent.³

PBS Named the Most Fair Network
4 in 10 respondents (40%) called PBS’ news coverage, investigations and discussions of issues “mostly fair” (when asked to choose among “liberal,” “mostly fair” and “conservative”). PBS outscored all other sources in the “mostly fair” category, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and FOX News.²

Less than one-third (32%) described PBS as “liberal.” Every other source besides FOX News was considered more liberal than PBS.²

PBS Leads in Addressing Important Issues
PBS received high marks for the effectiveness of its programming for children and adults in terms of handling important topics. A majority of respondents believed PBS programming addressed key subjects – from providing access to the arts and improving literacy to providing access to a variety of viewpoints either “very well” or “well.”

Provide people access to arts and culture – 67%

Promote an understanding of American history – 62%

Inform people of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity – 60%

Promote an understanding of science and technology – 60%

Improve literacy – 59%

Provide access to a variety of viewpoints – 54%

Inform people of important political and social issues – 51%

Inform people about health issues – 51%

PBS KIDS Called #1 Educational TV/Media Brand, Top Builder of Critical Skills, and Safest On-Air and Online Destination

A strong majority – 62% – named PBS KIDS the most educational TV/media brand. The second most highly rated was Disney, which was considered most educational by 13%.²

8 in 10 people (80%) agreed “strongly or somewhat” that “PBS helps prepare children for success in school and life.” This statement was equated with cable television and commercial broadcast television by 37% and 34% of participants, respectively.³

Eighty-four percent (84%) agreed “strongly or somewhat” that PBS “helps children improve their reading and math skills.” Cable and commercial broadcast television received this rating from 40% and 30% of respondents, respectively.³

Eighty-eight percent (88%) agreed “strongly or somewhat” that PBS “is a trusted and safe place for children to watch television.” Only 34% and 36% of respondents agreed with this statement regarding cable and commercial broadcast television, respectively.³

Eight-five percent (85%) agreed “strongly or somewhat” that PBS “is a trusted and safe place for children to visit online,” while this statement was attributed to cable television and commercial broadcasters by only 31% and 34% of the sample, respectively.³

Eighty-three percent (83%) agreed “strongly or somewhat” that PBS is “the innovator” in children’s educational media. 37% percent and 27% of participants also applied this statement to cable and commercial broadcast television, respectively.

PBS’ purpose is to educate, inform and inspire with essential non-commercial programming that enlarges people’s sense of the world. Public television fulfills its essential mission to the American public, providing trusted content that is uniquely different from commercial broadcasting, treating its audiences as citizens, not simply consumers.

Full results are available at http://to.pbs.org/most-trusted-2012.

Survey Methodology
¹ “Trust Tracker” study was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of PBS from January 20- 24, 2012 among 2,500 adults ages 18 and older; Opinion Research omnibus survey, March 2011; Roper Public Opinion Poll, 2004-2010.

²The supplemental survey to the “Trust Tracker” study conducted online within the United States by ORC International on behalf of PBS from January 12-15 2012, among 1,027 adults ages 18 and older.

³The “Importance” study survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of PBS from January 23-25, 2012 among 2,217 adults ages 18 and older and also from February 15-17, 2012 among 2,500 adults ages 18 and older.

For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Jan McNamara, PBS Corporate Communications, jmcnamara@pbs.org or 703-739-5028.

# # #

About KQED:
KQED (kqed.org) has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area) and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check, Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA; and Essential Pépin. KQED’s digital television stations include KQED 9, KQED Plus, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local weekday newscasts and news features. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts, and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and the general public through workshops, community screenings and multimedia resources.

About PBS
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.

About Harris
Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

About ORC Caravan
ORC International is a leading global research firm with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. The Company offers a platform of integrated intelligence that combines forward thinking methodologies, cutting-edge technology, skilled researchers and in-depth industry experience to provide clients with valuable insight to help solve their most pressing business challenges. ORC International is a founding member of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO) and is a proud partner of CNN on the CNN|ORC International poll since 2006.

KQED News and Events Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Television, Public Television, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!

KQED Joins in NEA’s National “Read Across America” Celebration

February 22, 2012

A series of family-friendly events planned in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sausalito, featuring the beloved Dr. Seuss character, the Cat in the Hat

KQED to air The Cat-in-the-Hat-A-Thon on March 2 with two brand new episodes of the acclaimed PBS KIDS series

San Francisco, California, February 15, 2012 – KQED, the public media organization that serves Northern California, joins in the national celebration for “Read Across America” with family-friendly events throughout the Bay Area. Organized by the National Education Association (NEA), this annual reading motivation and awareness program calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. The Cat in the Hat, the longtime ambassador of Read Across America, will make personal appearances at events presented in collaboration with numerous institutions and schools across the Bay Area.

KQED will also celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with The Cat-in-the-Hat-A-Thon, a two-hour marathon of PBS KIDS’ acclaimed series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! featuring two brand new episodes. The marathon will air Friday, March 2 at 8am on KQED 9 with an encore presentation at 10am on KQED Plus. KQED is the national presenting station for The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

“KQED is proud of its role as the provider of intelligent, entertaining and diverse kids programming throughout the year,” said KQED Vice President, Television, Michael Isip. “We are thrilled to partner with educational organizations around the Bay Area to make the Cat in the Hat part of this national celebration once again.”

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! has ranked among the top ten programs for children ages 2 to 5 since it premiered on PBS KIDS in September 2010.* The series is a key part of KQED’s and PBS KIDS’ commitment to help kids build critical STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — skills through engaging content across platforms. This year marks the 75^th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s first children’s book, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, and with the March 2nd release of the new feature film Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, this year’s event promises to be the biggest Seussational celebration yet.

The Cat in the Hat events celebrating “Read Across America” include:

Bay Area Discovery Museum
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 11:30am–12pm
557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito, CA 94965
Enjoy a special interactive storytime featuring Dr. Seuss books, and get a chance to meet the Cat in the Hat in person. Free with museum admission. (baykidsmuseum.org)

San Francisco Public Library Parkside Branch
Thursday, March 1, 2012, 10–10:30am
1200 Taraval Street, San Francisco, 94116
Join the Cat in the Hat for a storytime to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss with sing-alongs and dancing. Free and open to the public. (sfpl.org/parkside)

San Francisco Public Library Marina Branch
Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6–6:30pm
1890 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Pajama party storytime to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, including a “Happy Birthday” sing-along and coloring activities for the kids. Free and open to the public. (sfpl.org/marina)

San Jose’s San Antonio Elementary School
Friday, March 2, 2012, 7:20–8:15am
1721 E San Antonio Street, San Jose, CA 95116
The Cat in the Hat joins students for breakfast of green eggs and hams and visits classrooms to give out pencils, bookmarks and activity sheets. For San Antonio Elementary School students only.

Oakland’s International Community School
Friday, March 2, 2012, 4-6pm
2825 E. International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
The Cat in the Hat makes an appearance at a special pajama party assembly with giveaways and a special raffle of books and PBS KIDS DVDs. For International Community School students only.

San Francisco Public Library Main Branch
Saturday, March 3, 2012, 11–11:30am
100 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94102
The Cat in the Hat leads family storytime with activity books, stickers and coloring sheets. Free and open to the public. (www.sfpl.org)

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
Sunday, March 4, 2012, 11am–3pm (first hour for museum members only)
180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
Meet the Cat in the Hat and share in the joy of reading with a special Dr. Seuss storytime. Included with museum admission. (cdm.org)

About PBS KIDS:
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS programs supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom. Follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

About The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! was created in response to recent findings that children graduating from kindergarten are less prepared to learn about science than about other subjects. The series supports young children’s science learning by introducing scientific inquiry skills, teaching core science concepts and vocabulary, and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten and first grade science curriculum — all in whimsical style.

A team of science and early childhood experts developed the curriculum for the first season’s 40 episodes, each of which begins with a question posed by Sally or Nick. Although the Cat knows a lot of things, his insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world leads to adventures with Sally and Nick in his one-of-a-kind Thinga-ma-jigger, a marvelously Seuss-ian contraption that sprouts wings, pontoons, booster rockets, skis, and just about anything else needed to find the answer. The inquisitive gang travels to the bottom of the sea to observe giant sea worms, zips to the rain forest to visit animals living in Kapok trees, and shrinks to bee-size to visit a hive and learn how honey is made. Guided by the Cat, the kids figure things out by observing, collecting and managing clues, making connections, constructing and evaluating theories, and having discussions – all in a preschool-appropriate manner. Produced by Portfolio Entertainment Inc. and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse, and PBS KIDS, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is based on Random House’s bestselling Beginner Book collection, “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.”

About Random House Children’s Entertainment, LLC
Random House Children’s Entertainment, a division of Random House Children’s Books, is dedicated to expanding the reach of children’s stories beyond books to a variety of traditional and new media platforms. Drawing from the rich and varied library of books published by Random House, the company’s mission is to create, produce, and distribute quality projects for young people that will educate, enlighten, and entertain. Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House is also the longtime home of the beloved and bestselling Dr. Seuss books which continue to make learning to read fun for millions of children everywhere. Seussville (www.seussville.com)-the official home of Dr. Seuss on the Web-is the place for children of all ages to play and learn with Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully whimsical books and classic characters. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

**Ratings Source: NTI NPower, PBS KIDS’ Monthly Ranker | September 2010 – December 2011

KQED Presents, Public Television

Helen Mirren and Rosario Dawson Host Nobel Peace Prize Concert

February 22, 2012

Helen Mirren and Rosario Dawson hosted the star- studded 18^th annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on Sunday, December 11^thin Oslo, Norway. The program begins airing nationally on public television beginning April 15^th and airs on KQED 9 on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 6:00pm. Click here for additional KQED airings or check the PBS local TV listings for air times in other parts of the country.

Your web browser is not supported

This program features highlights from the concert event, including moving performances from Sugarland, David Gray, Jill Scott, Janelle Monáe, Evanescence, World Youth Choir and the Nobel laureates’ personal selection, Angelique Kidjo. In addition to an evening of musical entertainment, viewers will learn more about the achievements of these remarkable women and hear from each of them on-stage during the concert. See detailed Host and Artist Biographies below.

The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert honored laureates Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman, for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called “their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” The award is given annually for work exemplifying a spirit of hope and leadership that will help promote peace in the world.

The Nobel Peace Prize is the most prestigious award in the world, honoring icons such as Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama, Kofi Annan, Al Gore and other remarkable individuals and organizations. For the past seventeen years, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony has been followed the next day by the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, a musical celebration honoring the laureate.

Cisco was the global sponsor of the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The concert was presented by the Nobel Peace Prize Concert AS and produced by IMG, in cooperation with Eyeworks Dinamo.

For more information on the Nobel Peace Prize and Concert, please visit nobelpeaceprizeconcert.org

Press Contact:
Dave Donovan/Michael Braun (USA)
DKC Public Relations
212.685.4300
dave_donovan@dkcnews.com
michael_braun@dkcnews.com

About KQED

KQED (kqed.org) has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area), and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey); KQED Public Radio (88.5FM San Francisco and 89.3FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; and KQED Education. KQED Public Television, one of the nation’s most-watched public television stations, is the producer of local and national series such as QUEST; Check, Please! Bay Area; This Week in Northern California; Truly CA; and Essential Pépin. KQED’s digital television channels include 9HD, KQED Life, KQED World, KQED Kids, and KQED V-me, and are available 24/7 on Comcast. KQED Public Radio, home of Forum with Michael Krasny and The California Report, is one of the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service delivering more than eighteen local newscasts daily. KQED Interactive provides KQED’s cross-platform news service, KQEDnews.org, as well as offers several popular local blogs, video and audio podcasts, and a live radio stream at kqed.org. KQED Education brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents, and the general public through workshops, community screenings, and multimedia resources.

About American Public Television (APT)

APT has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. Since 2004, APT has distributed approximately half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies, including For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, A Ripple of Hope, Rick Steves’ Europe, Newsline, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope, America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia’s Italy, P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home, Midsomer Murders, Moyers & Company, Doc Martin, Rosemary & Thyme, BBC World News, The Rat Pack: Live and Swingin’, Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful! and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched and nationally distributed Create® – the TV channel featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming. APT is also a partner in the WORLD™ channel expansion project including its web presence at WORLDcompass.org. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org. For more information on Create, visit CreateTV.com.

——————————————————————-

HOST AND ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES:

HELEN MIRREN

Helen Mirren is one of the best known and most respected actresses with an international career that spans stage, screen and television. She has won many awards for her powerful and versatile performances, most notably the Academy Award in 2007 for her in The Queen. In television she is known for her role as DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect and most recently her Emmy award winning performance as Elizabeth 1. Mirren’s recent projects include The Last Station for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Sofya Tolstoy, the spy action movie RED, the comedy Arthur with Russell Brand and movie thrillers Brighton Rock and The Debt. Due for release next year are The Door with Hungarian director Istvan Szabo and the HBO produced film about music legend Phil Spector in which she stars with Al Pacino. Helen Mirren was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.

ROSARIO DAWSON

Rosario Dawson has garnered praise not only for her numerous leading roles, but for her work with a range of influential organizations. In 2004, Dawson co-founded a non-partisan political organization called Voto Latino. Their outreach has targeted youth and helped register over 35,000 voters.

Dawson is an active board member of V-Day, an organization founded by Eve Ensler, where she travels worldwide to stop violence against women.

She also lends her time and efforts to the Lower Eastside Girls Club in Manhattan and is an ardent environmentalist doing work with a variety of organizations including the Environmental Media Association. Most notably, Dawson was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her valuable contributions to the community and encouragement in getting others involved.

Dawson made her film debut in KIDS and has since been seen in MEN IN BLACK II, THE 25th HOUR, SIN CITY, RENT, EAGLE EYE, SEVEN POUNDS and UNSTOPPABLE. She recently wrapped filming the Danny Boyle thriller TRANCE alongside James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel. The film is scheduled for a 2013 release.

DAVID GRAY

David Gray is not one to rest on his laurels; 12 million album sales, the best-selling album in Ireland ever with ‘White Ladder,’ a BAFTA nomination for his soundtrack work on Amma Assante’s 2004 film ‘A Way Of Life,’ two Ivor Novellos, a Q award, two Brit nominations and a Grammy nomination.

Over the years, Gray kept up that standard. New songs galore ‘lurched’ from his fingers, featuring guest vocal turns from Jolie Holland and Annie Lennox. His recent album, Draw The Line, is the sound of an artist turning his lens, his camera, his vision outwards, providing an extrospective take on the world.

The album is the warm, fresh, organic sound of Gray in a new, revitalized light. He had all the success in the world, and more, but he was hungry for more – not more success, but more feeling. More heart. More soul. More songs. More life.

JANELLE MONAE

A singer, songwriter, producer and performer from Kansas City, Kansas, Janelle Monáe’s innovative style melds a redefined pop sensibility with an extraordinary mash-up of soul, funk, and rock n’ roll. Monáe’s debut album The ArchAndroid was released to widespread acclaim, earning her multiple Grammy nominations, and the Associated Press, the Guardian, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times all named the album “The #1 Album of 2010.” Monáe was also a recipient of the 2011 ASCAP Vanguard Award and was included in the first-ever Women Who Rock exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. A dynamic performer and artistic entrepreneur, Ms. Monáe has launched her own record label called the Wondaland Arts Society and performed worldwide with artistic legends such as Stevie Wonder and Prince.

JILL SCOTT

Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling poet and critically acclaimed actress are only a few titles held by Jill Scott. Before having the #1 album in the country with “The Light Of The Sun”, performing at The White House, being named People Magazine’s Top TV Breakout Star of 2010 and appearing on VH1 Divas, the triple threat began her career collaborating with musical icons The Roots, Will Smith, and Common. In 2000, she released her debut record,Who is JillScott? Words & Sounds, Vol. 1, a double platinum album. Two more albums followed, which garnered two more Grammy Awards and spawned multiple worldwide tours.

Most recently, Jill was cast as the lead character in the HBO/BBC miniseries, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, a Peabody Award-winning show.. Scott also developed an intimates line for Ashley Stewart and founded Blues Babe, a registered 501(c)3 foundation that has raised over hundreds of thousands dollars to support minority students pursuing college degrees.

SUGARLAND

After winning multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM awards—and selling more than eight million records—the country-music duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush is embracing a musical awakening that permeates their adventurous fourth album, The Incredible Machine.

Co-written and co-produced in full by the duo, Kristian describes it as a collection of anthems—and there may be no greater understatement. If the duo was searching for the grander side of country on their last record, the double platinum Love on the Inside, they’ve obviously found it on The Incredible Machine. From the fanfare of the album’s opener “All We Are” to Jennifer’s sublime piano-ballad “Shine the Light,” this is an album built for stadiums.

Sugarland is confident that fans, old and new alike, will have a similar experience as they discover The Incredible Machine—a country record, a pop record, an anthem record, a ballad record, but above all, an authentic record.

WORLD YOUTH CHOIR

The World Youth Choir is one of the most original and important choirs today. Comprised of young singers between the ages of 18 and 30 from different nationalities, the World Youth Choir is a remarkable educational and social experience through different vocal traditions at the highest artistic level.

The World Youth Choir is an original social and artistic project, organised by the Foundation World Youth Choir, Den Haag, the Netherlands. Artistically speaking, it is a unique experience for young singers to develop their musical talents by interacting with internationally recognized conductors and challenging repertoires in a professional level. Socially speaking, the World Youth Choir contributes to the raising of new generations of “Citizens of the World.” Additionally, many countries represented by the singers in the choir and by the music in the repertoire, emphasize the World Youth Choir as a school of understanding between different cultures, people, music and traditions.

ANGELIQUE KIDJO

Grammy Winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with eleven albums to her name. Time Magazine has called her “Africa’s premier diva”. The BBC has included her in its list of the continent’s 50 most iconic figures and in 2011 the Guardian listed her as one of their “Top 100 Most Inspiring Women” in the World. Furthermore, Forbes Magazine has just ranked Angelique as the first woman on their list of the Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa.

Born in the West African state of Benin, Kidjo is a tireless campaigner for women’s health and education in Africa, a UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador and a prolific songwriter. Kidjo campaigns for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, as well as her own organization, Batonga Foundation, which provides African girls with an education.

EVANESCENCE

Evanescence has sold more than 20 million records worldwide, won two Grammys^® with their debut Fallen and a Grammy^®nomination with their second album, The Open Door. Propelling the band to sales of more than 15 million albums worldwide, Fallen spent more than 100 weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, was certified gold or platinum in over 35 countries, and sold out arenas globally.

Following a three-year sabbatical after the worldwide success of their sophomore effort, Evanescence recorded its third studio album with producer Nick Raskulinecz, whose recent credits include Foo Fighters, RUSH, Stone Sour, Deftones and Alice in Chains.

The inherent drama in Evanescence’s music has resonated with listeners everywhere. The music forges a connection with audiences searching for identity or struggling with feelings of desire, hope love and loss. The band has only just begun to make its mark on the music world.

KQED News, KQED Public Television Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Television, This Week in Northern California

KQED’s Belva Davis to Retire

February 21, 2012

This Week in Northern California host will lead KQED Public Television’s expanded coverage of the 2012 local and national elections.

Davis’ final broadcast set for November 9

San Francisco, California, February 20, 2012—Belva Davis, the award-winning host of This Week in Northern California on KQED Public Television, has announced that she will retire from the anchor chair after 19 years. Davis, who was the first female African-American TV journalist in the West, has been in broadcast journalism for almost half a century. She has reported on many of the most important stories of our time, including the University of California, Berkeley Free Speech Movement student protests, the birth of the Black Panthers, the Peoples Temple cult that ended in the mass suicides at Jonestown, the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the onset of the AIDS epidemic, and the terrorist attacks on the U.S. embassy in Tanzania that first put Osama bin Laden on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Davis will lead KQED Public Television’s expanded coverage of the 2012 local and national elections before giving her final broadcast on Friday, November 9, 2012. KQED will celebrate Davis’ career throughout the year, which will culminate with a special event commemorating her distinguished legacy. More details will be released shortly.

“I have enjoyed a unique and long career here in the Bay Area and have been witness to some of the most explosive stories of the last half century. I’m truly thankful for the support of everyone at KQED and the loyalty of our audiences throughout my time on the air,” said Davis, who has received several dozen awards for her journalism, including eight local Emmys. “I began my career with the coverage of the 1964 elections and I’m thrilled that I will be devoting my last months on the air to the elections of 2012.”

“Belva Davis is an icon of fair, thorough and local journalism and she has opened up so many doors for women and African Americans in television and beyond,” said John Boland, KQED president. “We count ourselves lucky to have had such a trailblazer as part of the KQED family. We will continue our commitment to our weekly public affairs and news programming and will build on the insightful and thought-provoking coverage that Belva has so brilliantly led over the last two decades.”

“I want to recognize the extraordinary contribution that Belva has made to the debate in our state,” U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. “When she speaks, people listen. They respect what she has to say, and we’re very, very proud of her.”

Prior to her post on KQED 9, Davis anchored news programs on Bay Area stations KPIX-TV and KRON-TV. She is also the author of a memoir, Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman’s Life in Journalism which chronicles her experience as the first African American woman hired to work as a television news reporter on the West Coast. An inspiration for professional and aspiring journalists, Davis has interviewed several U.S. presidents and other world leaders. She is also celebrated for her community involvement as a board member for various Bay area non-profits and a staunch supporter of numerous cultural institutions.

This Week in Northern California airs Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 1:30am on KQED 9 and KQED Life. Encore presentations on KQED World are on Saturdays at 9:30am and at 7pm and Sundays at 1am.

Interactive, KQED Public Radio Featured Releases, News & Events, Public Radio

KQED and The Kitchen Sisters Launch AIR/Localore Radio and Web Initiative with The Making Of…

February 7, 2012

The Kitchen Sisters (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva) are spearheading KQED's new Localore project, The Making Of... Please click on the image to get a hi-res version of this photo.

Multiplatform series to chronicle the art, creativity and innovation of the San Francisco Bay Area

After a stiff national competition, the Association of Independents in Radio, Inc. (AIR) announced that the Peabody Award-winning producers The Kitchen Sisters (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva) and KQED Public Radio have been awarded one of ten inaugural grants from its “Localore” initiative for a new collaboration, The Making Of… The Localore initiative is a transmedia project challenging public media makers and stations to invent new forms of reporting that expand service to a wider public.

The Making Of… will look across the San Francisco Bay Area to chronicle the art and innovation going on in backyards, workplaces, cultural institutions and public spaces throughout one of the most diverse and innovative regions in the country. The making of the Bay Bridge. The making of a jar of jam. The making of the iPhone…an opera…a surfboard. This multimedia community project will draw upon and document the diversity of the Bay Area, a hotbed rich with stories of artists, inventors, immigrant communities, traditions and new technologies.

This new initiative will engage people in chronicling their creative worlds — what they know, what they make, what they see. Participating in The Making Of… will be simple — from calling in to share a story, to creating and uploading videos and photos of friends, colleagues, and community elders engaged in the act of creating.

Audiences will be able to access stories on the radio, online and through mobile media. Listeners will be able to add to stories and experiment with new digital tools to create their own stories. The Making Of… will explore how longtime traditions and emerging new arts link us to our past, and move us into the future. Through this groundbreaking sharing of voices, words and images, a bigger, larger view will emerge — a community self-portrait.

“We are thrilled to be part of this innovative storytelling initiative spearheaded by AIR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” says Davia Nelson. “There are so many stories to tell here, and we’re excited to showcase the amazing thinkers, innovators, and neighborhood artisans who make the Bay Area such a remarkable place in which to live and work.”

“KQED audiences are curious, inventive and engaged members of their communities,” states Vice President and General Manager for KQED Public Radio, Jo Anne Wallace. “We know that many in the Bay Area will be delighted to hear Localore stories on air or online, and also will be interested in sharing their own stories with the project. The Kitchen Sisters, Davia and Nikki, and KQED have collaborated over many years, and we are thrilled to be working with them again. We think this new program has the potential to engage different generations of people in our community, as producers and listeners, in the future of public radio and public media.”

Localore is a $2 million initiative produced by Boston-based AIR, with more than $1 million in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting directed to support the Localore teams at public radio and television stations for up to one year. Lead producers are tasked with bringing their ingenuity to crafting journalism projects that blend digital and broadcast technology, and “go outside” public media’s core platforms and traditional audiences. With guidance from a distinguished selection committee, AIR chose from proposals submitted to an open call, including 61 media shorts produced by a diverse range of public radio and television stations and posted to the unprecedented Localore “Station Runway.” The competition sparked broad interest, drawing nearly 7,500 unique visitors to Localore.net since mid-September.

ABOUT KQED
KQED Inc. has served Northern California for more than 50 years and is affiliated with NPR and PBS. KQED owns and operates KQED Public Radio (88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento); the interactive platforms kqed.org and KQEDnews.org; KQED Education; and public television stations KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area), KQED Plus (San Jose/Bay Area) and KQET 25 (Watsonville/Monterey).

KQED Public Radio, home to Forum, KQED News and The California Report, is the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation, and the top-rated radio station—public or commercial—in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its award-winning local news and public affairs program service delivers newscasts, news features, and long-form newsmagazine and talk programs and documentary specials. Approximately 20 percent of KQED Public Radio’s weekly broadcast schedule is locally produced, with the remaining hours provided by NPR, APM (American Public Media), PRI (Public Radio International), PRX, the BBC, and others.

ABOUT THE KITCHEN SISTERS:
The Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva, are producers of the duPont-Columbia Award-winning and James Beard Award-nominated NPR series Hidden Kitchens, and the two Peabody Award-winning NPR series, Lost & Found Sound and The Sonic Memorial Project. Hidden Kitchens, heard on Morning Edition, explores the world of secret, unexpected, below the radar cooking across America — how communities come together through food. The series inspired the Kitchen Sisters’ first book, Hidden Kitchens: Stories, Recipes, and More from NPR’s The Kitchen Sisters, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year for 2005 and nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Writing on Food.

The most recent work by the Kitchen Sisters includes the radio special Hidden Kitchens Texas, narrated by Willie Nelson, which was nominated for a James Beard Award and was the inspiration for their second book, Hidden Kitchens Texas: Stories, Recipes and More from the Lone Star State, and and the radio series Cry Me a River, a portrait of three pioneering river activists and the damming of wild rivers in the West, that aired as part of the series, Stories from the Heart of the Land.

The Kitchen Sisters began their radio work producing a weekly live radio program in the late 70’s on KUSP-FM in Santa Cruz, California. Their radio documentaries have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition, the BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Smithsonian, California Public Radio, Pacifica Radio, Soundprint, and others. Other noted Kitchen Sisters stories include: Waiting for Joe DiMaggio, The Nights of Edith Piaf, Carmen Miranda: The Life and Times of the Brazilian Bombshell, WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts, Guillermo Cabrera Infante: Memories of an Invented City, Tupperware, The Road Ranger, and War and Separation.

The Kitchen Sisters also are involved in educating and training new voices for public media in an imaginative, artistic and creative approach to storytelling. They teach at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and frequently lecture and provide training at universities, festivals, workshops, radio stations, public forums and events throughout the country. They also train and work with interns, college students, and youth radio apprentices and participate in the life of the public radio community throughout the country. In addition to producing radio, Davia Nelson is also a screenwriter and casting director. She lives in San Francisco. Nikki Silva is also a museum curator and exhibit consultant. She lives with her family on a commune in Santa Cruz, California.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENTS IN RADIO, INC:
AIR is a vibrant, tightly-networked association of more than 800 journalists, documentarians, technicians, media entrepreneurs, and sound artists. Founded in 1988, AIR has emerged as a force for identifying, cultivating, and deploying talent to accelerate public media innovation and expand service to more citizens across the U.S. AIR’s membership now spans 46 states and 14 countries worldwide including leading stations, 501c3 non profits, and organizations and networks including APM, BBC, NPR, PRI, PRX, Transom, and the Third Coast International Audio Festival. In addition to CPB, financial support for Localore comes from the MacArthur Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Wyncote Foundation.

KQED's Pressroom

Michael Englehaupt Named as New Chief Technology Officer for KQED